“We shall see who will endure to the end, my persevering adversary or my patience.”

In a battle of wills there is always the temptation to flee the encounter, or alternatively, to bend to pressure and make concessions soon to be regretted. Resoluteness comes either from egotism or conviction.

The resoluteness of egotism is the desire to always be seen to be right, or at least, to defeat one’s opponents. To the little ego, the nature of a disagreement is inconsequential; what matters is to have the last word.

The resoluteness of conviction, on the other hand, is concerned with principles. One’s desire to prevail is motivated by the justness of the cause one serves. Even if doomed to fail, one considers oneself obligated to make every effort.

The minor struggle in life is waged against external adversaries. The major struggle is against the inner foe: the little ego, the taproot of all selfishness, vanity, and ignorance. The Prophet Muhammad said, “Your worst enemy is your ego which lies between your two sides.”

The work of alchemizing the little ego, so that its narrow boundaries dissolve, is a work of patience. Success requires staying the course and abstaining from even the slightest compromise that obscures the light of the soul.

Assistance, when it comes, comes from the Light of Lights. Hence Dhu’n-Nun said, “Patience is seeking help from God Most High.”